Huntsville City Schools (HCS) is celebrating the accomplishments of three educators recognized at this year’s Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology (ALET) Fall Symposium for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to expanding technology and STEM opportunities for students.
Dr. Rachel Evans, HCS STEM Coordinator, was awarded the inaugural ALET K-12 Innovation Award, recognizing outstanding technology achievements and innovative STEM programs that make a meaningful impact in a school district, including the implementation of six state-of-the-art STEM labs across the district. ALET describes the award as an opportunity to celebrate innovative programs and projects that can provide frameworks for other educational leaders.
Through her leadership, Dr. Evans has helped expand STEM opportunities across Huntsville City Schools, build partnerships with community and industry organizations, and secure resources that bring hands-on STEM experiences, robotics, coding, engineering, and emerging technologies to students across the district. Her work has helped make STEM learning more accessible to students throughout HCS while creating pathways that encourage students to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, innovators, and technology professionals.
Bonnie Garrett, HCS STEM Coordinator, graduated from ALET’s year-long Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Academy. The academy is an in-depth professional certification designed for current and aspiring K-12 technology leaders. Participants complete 54 hours of professional learning over nine months across six areas, including leadership and vision, teaching and learning, data management and governance, cybersecurity, law and policy, and technology planning and budgeting.
Garrett brings this leadership and expertise to her work supporting STEM and technology initiatives across HCS. Her work helps connect district-level vision with classroom implementation, supporting teachers as they integrate technology and hands-on STEM experiences into instruction. Her leadership contributes to HCS’s ongoing efforts to ensure students have meaningful opportunities to develop the technology, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills needed for success beyond the classroom.
Heather Hall, STEM Coach, graduated from ALET’s year-long Alabama Technology Integration Coach (ALTIC) Certification Program. The ALTIC program develops technology integration coaches through a combination of face-to-face and online professional learning based on the ISTE Standards for Coaches. Participants also complete a showcase product demonstrating their learning throughout the year.
Hall has spent her career helping teachers and students harness the power of technology to make learning more engaging, creative, and hands-on. In her role as a STEM Coach, she works directly with educators to integrate STEM tools and technology into classroom instruction, helping students move beyond simply using technology to becoming creators, problem-solvers, designers, and innovators. Her expertise and enthusiasm have also contributed to the development of innovative STEM learning environments where students can explore coding, robotics, engineering, and other emerging technologies.
Together, these accomplishments reflect the depth of talent and leadership within Huntsville City Schools and the district’s continued commitment to investing in educators who expand opportunities for students.
